Saturday, October 22, 2016

I received a heartfelt request, from a very longtime reader, to feature eco-friendly, healthy natural remedies, and chemical-free products to help her transition away from so many chemical-laden products. She told me that a close family member recently received a cancer diagnosis, with a good prognosis, but that this entire experience has been a life-changing, paradigm-shifting wake-up call like no other. She already shifted to using African Botanics and May Lindstrom skincare products, but wanted to expand her horizons to wellness type products beyond the products used in her skincare routine. She said that she isn't going to abandon all of her mainstream products, but really wanted to add healthier choices to her collection.

Here is my selection of eco-friendly wellness products:

The Dirt Dirty Balm - Lip Treatment ($10.00 from The Dirt and The Dirt's Amazon Store): This is an ultra-emollient lip balm that offers serious hydration, soothes and heals dry chapped lips, and when used sparingly it serves as a fantastic lipstick base. It has a wonderful aroma from the blend of essential oils, and you don't have to be concerned about ingesting multisyllabic chemical compounds.

According to The Dirt,

You've tried every lip balm on the market but you're about to meet your match. Our lip balm uses traditional beauty secrets from around the world to provide the most effective lip care you have ever tried. This is the BEST lip balm on the PLANET!

Green Goo Skin Repair-Daily Replenishing Salve ($ 9.50 for .7 oz Travel Tin from Green Goo by Sierra Sage): This salve, which has the consistency of a balm, is a multitasking remedy for a wide range of concerns. It can be used to soften scars, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and puffy eyes, to help heal minor burn and sunburn– to name but a few of its strengths. It boasts a lightweight consistency, and a concentrated formula– therefore a small jar should last quite a while.

Our formula helps reduce inflammation and pain due to over-exposure from the sun or other minor burns. Its Aloe-based formula is a soothing after-sun salve. Use as a daily moisturizer or as a night eye cream to help relieve wrinkles, puffy eyes and dark circles.

Green Goo First Aid (Travel Stick .6 oz $ 9.95 from Green Goo): This is a great product to keep in your first aid kit because it addresses so many concerns from cuts and scrapes to blisters and sunburns. You may not need to use it all of the time, but you will be glad that you have it when you do.

According to Green Goo,

Green Goo First Aid salve is a power packed formula that helps aid the body's own healing abilities. Replacing over 20 traditionally used first aid items, our salve is the first defense for cuts, scrapes, blisters, sunburns, chafing, poison ivy and cracked hands & feet.

It helps to relieve the itch and sting of insect bites and can be used as a wound dressing. First Aid salve is a perfect all-purpose, carry-it-with-you powerhouse.

Claims: •replaces over 20 items in your First Aid kit including but not limited to Neosporin, Hydrocortisone, Calamine for Poison Ivy, any anti-itch, anti-fungal •safe for you, your children and your pets including but not limited to dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, horses, cattle.

To begin we recommend that you rinse your face with warm water. A little goes a long way with our cleanser, so you will only need to use a small amount. Massage this into face for approximately 30 seconds. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and then use a small wash cloth to dry face and remove any excess oil still remaing. Your skin is now, clean, moisturizing and glowing! Enjoy

The soap is made by first drying the skins of the Plantain fruit to precise texture in the hot African sun. The skins are then roasted in a clay oven to achieve a particular color, texture and fragrance. The longer they are dried the darker the color of the soap. Next, this base is carefully mixed with palm oil and palm kernal oil. Generous amounts of Ivory Shea Butter are then mixed in. The soap is then hardened by being put into molds and left for days in the African sun to harden. Then it is packaged into air-tight bags in Africa to preserve its centuries old cleansing and medicinal power.

...Our authentic raw African Black Soap by Nature’s Form from Ghana, Africa. Used for many skin conditions and in many skin treatments including Psoriasis scalp, Eczema, dry skin, skin lightening and whitening, Dermatitis and Acne.

Features:

• Handmade, organic, all natural ingredients with Shea Butter

• Authentic age-old recipe from west Africa

• Standard-sized bars for use with normal soap dishes

• 3-pack in a slick plastic case for easy and secure storage of unused bars

Sibu Sea Berry Therapy Cleansing Face & Body Bar ($7.95 for a 3.5 oz. bar from Sibu, Walmart and Amazon): This hydrating face and body bar puts forth a rich and creamy lather, and yet it is not in the least bit stripping to the skin. It also works wonders for shaving legs and underarms because of its delectable lather, and its intoxicating citrus aroma is uplifting and invigorating.

According to Sibu,

Wash away a day of stress and pollutants with pure, simple and effective Sea Berry Cleansing Face & Body Bar. This facial bar lathers thick and rich to cleanse, detox, moisturize and repair the skin while creating a protective barrier against cell damaging free radicals.

Wally's Natural Ear Candles are holistic treatments intended to melt away the stress, and create a tranquil and grounding experience that is meditative. My husband, who is an avid, life-long surfer finds that ear candles gently evaporate the water build-up in his ears.

According to Wally's

Relax, unwind and enjoy the calming effects of a Wally’s Natural Ear Candle. Ear Candles are a wonderful holistic relaxation device that is used to melt away stress and daily frustrations. As the candle burns warm air and rhythmic sounds moves down the candle creating a tranquil experience.

Ear Candling is safe and easy! All you need is a set of Wally’s Ear Candles, a lighter or match, a damp towel, a bowl of water, and a pair of scissors. It is suggested that you have a friend help you ear candle as it’s more relaxing this way. Prior to Ear Candling make sure to read and understand all instructions and safety warnings that come with the candles.

Directions:

To start lay a protective device such as a damp towel over the head and neck of the person to be candled in order to protect from any accidental ash dropping. Next, light the larger “Easy to Light” end and simply hold the smaller thinner end to the ear so the tip of the candle rests just inside the ear canal. Wally’s Natural candles feature a “No-Drip-Filter” for the consumer’s safety. This ensures added safety against the chance of wax or other debris falling through the tip of the candle.

Trim the ash or burnt part of the candle approximately every inch or so that the candle burns. Make sure the trimmings go into the bowl of water to ensure they are extinguished.

Do not burn the candle further than the burn line or so the candle is shorter than 4 inches in length. If you reach that point or want to extinguish the candle prior to reaching that point, dunk the entire candle, burning end first, into the bowl of water so it is completely submerged. Usually people use between 1 to 3 candles per ear.

Our Spa Collection Ear Candles are made with Soy and Candelilla waxes and a worry free no-drip filter to deliver a deluxe spa experience. Lavender Essential Oil adds just the right touch to soften your mood and ease you into a sense of calm tranquility.

Purified food grade paraffin infused into unbleached cotton muslin makes our Professional collection of ear candles perfect for clinicians in the highest quality salons in America. Reach a deeper sense of relaxation with Ear Candles that are infused with a powerful trio of eucalyptus, echinacea and tea tree essential oils.

Luxurious Beeswax Ear Candles combine the exceptional feel and aroma of beeswax with a worry free no-drip filter so you can fully immerse yourself in this indulgent past time. These Unscented Ear Candles are a perfect way to unwind at the end of a long day. Just relax and clear your mind as the warm air travels down the candle creating rhythmic sounds and soothing warmth.

Earth's Care Dry & Cracked Skin Balm is an ultra-rich, seriously emollient balm that heals badly chapped and cracked skin. It leaves skin soft, supple and deeply moisturized. If you run around barefoot, or work in the garden this is a great choice for rough, chapped and cracked skin.Cajeput Oil, renowned for its beneficial properties, is distilled from the leaves of the Cajeput tree which grows wild in the forests of Southeast Asia and Australia. The Arnica flower, native to Europe, has been used medicinally for centuries and has proven its value for a variety of skin conditions. Vitamin E is a natural anti-oxidant prized for its restorative qualities while Shea Butter is a rich extract from the nut of the African Shea tree. Earth's Care Dry and Cracked Skin Balm is a 100% natural formula that quickly soothes damaged skin and makes it feel visibly softer and smoother. Ideal for rough or cracked skin on hands, elbows and feet, this replenishing blend features nature's most therapeutic oils and extracts from around the world. This balm is suitable for everyday use on damage-prone areas to keep skin healthy, moisturized, and supple. Directions Apply Earth's Care Dry and Cracked Skin Balm as needed to chapped, dry or damaged skin on the hands, elbows, heels, body, face and legs.

Painted Earth Legendary Blend of Thieves Essential Oil ($44.00 for 1 oz. and $11.00 for .5ml from Painted Earth): Painted Earth Legendary Blend of Thieves oil is a magical blend of five essential oils (Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Rosemary and Eucalypus Radiata) that have anti-infectious, antiviral, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. Painted Earth suggests using it when you have the flu, colds, sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, sore throat, strep, toothache, cuts, poison ivy, and as an immune stimulant. It has a delectable clove aroma that is such a wonderful and relaxing treat to the senses.

According to Painted Earth,

This healing oil is a blend of five different therapeutic grade essential oils, including cinnamon, clove, lemon, eucalyptus, and rosemary. This combination of healing oils covers a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and contains properties that strengthen the immune system. Due to its effectiveness against highly infectious germs, including viruses and bacteria, it is one of nature’s most powerful natural home remedies.

Painted Earth's Thief Oil is based upon a 15th century recipe found in the Royal English Archives. This recipe protected a group of thieves from the black plague even as they robbed the highly contagious bodies of the plagues dead victims. During the course of their plundering, four of the thieves were caught by the king’s men. In exchange for not being burned at the stake, the four thieves disclosed the secret of their immunity. Painted Earth's Thief Oil has been specially blended to offer the same kind of defense.

Painted Earth's Suggested Uses:

DIFFUSING:

Diffusing is a great way to get this healing oil blend into the respiratory system of household members. Inhaling diffused oils strengthens the immune and respiratory systems which are often the target of bacteria and viruses. Purifying the air adds a valuable level of protection and support in the health and wellness of your family. Many germs that travel through the air are linked to common ailments such as the cold and flu.

In addition to diffusing throughout the day, you can diffuse therapeutic grade essential oils in the bedroom at night during sleep. It is a wonderful way to support the respiratory and immune system if someone is fighting an infection.

MASSAGE OR TOPICAL APPLICATION:

This healing oil can be diluted and massaged into the skin to help protect against the germs that cause illness. It is also very beneficial in the care of illness. Two very effective areas to massage are the reflex areas or vita-flex points on the feet, for example the lungs, sinus, bronchials, ears, etc., and also along the spine where bacteria and viruses tend to hibernate.

Test for sensitivity. Cinnamon and clove oil are powerful oils and could cause a reaction in some people. Diluting this essential oil in vegetable or carrier oil before applying to the skin is recommended. The bottom of the feet is always the safest place to use and test oils, especially on children and those with known sensitivities or allergies. For your health and safety always test first!

HOUSE CLEANING:

Disinfect and Clean Thieves oil diluted in water or vinegar is an amazing all purpose house cleaner. Kills germs and odors safely and naturally.

Boo Boo Gel represents nothing less than a revolution in the treatment of skin ailments. By focusing on actually treating the root causes of inflammation related ailment as opposed to simply masking the symptoms, the recovery process is accelerated in thousands of cases, skin problems have been successfully & dramatically alleviated.

Smooth it on daily for blemish free skin. Then grab it when you need it for burns, bites, and small cuts. It’s full of great ingredients that calm and heal the skin.…just about anything skin related. No home should be with out this natural fix all, safe and effective for the old and young . For quick relief, this natural anti-inflammatory will sooth, heal, and nourish your skin. This blemish banisher keeps troubled skin clean and clear. It also dramatically reduces the appearance of pores.

The Dirt - Trace Mineral Tooth Brushing Powder ($29.99 for a 51g Glass Jar Lasts 6+ months from The Dirt and The Dirt's Amazon Store): If you prefer not to use mainstream toothpastes, or you like to alternate them with natural tooth powders and toothpastes, then this ultra-concentrated tooth powder is worth your consideration. It is a little messy to use, but it leaves your teeth very clean, your breath very fresh, and the cinnamon flavor is absolutely delicious!

According to The Dirt,

The original and best spiced trace mineral tooth brushing powder! Did you know the glycerin in modern toothpaste can coat your teeth and prevent the natural process of re-mineralization that keeps your teeth strong and white? The Dirt is made to support your natural re-mineralization process and get your teeth back to their strong, sparkly selves. It has a sweet spiced orange flavor that will leave your mouth feeling clean and spicy!

We know how much you already love our tooth brushing powder but some of you are die hard paste fans. There are a million toothpastes in the world so we thought to ourselves "how can we make a toothpaste that blows all others out of the water?" Well we have done it! Our MCT oil toothpaste combines the great effects of MCT oil (fractionated coconut oil) with the benefits of bentonite clay and a touch of theobromine, a natural part of the cacao pod that has been shown to improve oral health and prevent decay. Our paste is concentrated so you'll only need a 'split pea' amount for each use. Our large tubes last 5 months and the smaller tubes last about 6 weeks and are TSA friendly.

Take fresh breath to the next level. Our copper tongue scraper removes the gunk that brushing alone simply cannot. Why copper? Various forms of copper have been used for medicinal purposes throughout the history of mankind, the Egyptians used copper for their water pipes, ship builders used copper to keep algae off ships, copper has recently been tested in the fight against the deadly MRSA virus.

Overall Assessment: I have always kept eco-friendly wellness products in my bathroom cabinet, and these represent some of my current favorites.

What are your favorite eco-friendly products? Are there any misses that you won't replace, or any that you will never go without?

What a fantastic post, Helen! Thank you for introducing me to so many new brands and products. Did you like the Green Goo products? They contacted me a while back, but I was swamped with skincare and passed on it and regretted that decision. So many interesting things to try. I wondered what happened to Painted Earth - glad to see they're still around. The ear candles sound terrifying but I'm glad they work for your surfer dude. Hopefully, you're right there helping him. I am wondering about the Bug Stick. I'd love to find something natural that works but it's kind of pricey in case it doesn't. Thankfully, bug season is over till next year so I can think about it!

Thank you, Allison! Yes, I really like the Green Goo– especially their Skin Repair! Definitely say yes next time, or send them an email saying that your editorial calendar now has a space to review these!

Painted Earth is definitely still around, and they have so many great products!

The ear candles freaked me out a bit, but I did it on my husband, and it was pretty cool!

I tried the Bug Stick, but each time I tested it there weren't many bugs out. The real test will be on my husband who sits plays ball with Delilah in the midst of all of the biting bugs!

I love reading all of your comments and interacting with you- so please do not hesitate to share your thoughts, and to ask questions. Remember that what you have to say is of interest to all of us! Always feel free to email me directly as well. SPAM and advertising links will not be published.